Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the Senate, has spoken candidly about the challenges she faces as a woman in the male-dominated National Assembly. One of the major hurdles, she revealed, is the constant lobbying of ministers to secure funding for essential projects.
Despite these obstacles, Kingibe is proud of the progress she has made. However, her efforts have recently come under fire from some rural women and female farmers in the FCT, who claim they have been neglected since casting their votes in her favor.
At the 8th edition of the Voice of Women (VOW) Conference and Awards held in Abuja, one woman, speaking anonymously, expressed disappointment. She noted that despite rallying behind female politicians during the elections, the local women feel abandoned, with no subsequent engagement, training, or empowerment programs for those who actively campaigned.
She shared, “Last year, during the political campaign, we were mobilized to ensure women were voted into power. We went into rural villages, encouraging women to vote for them. But since the election, there have been no town hall meetings, no follow-up, and no thank you to the local women who voted.”
She added, “We expected some acknowledgment. At least a thank you or even empowerment programs for our children or ourselves. But as of now, nothing has been done in the FCT.”
In response, Senator Kingibe expressed frustration over the misconceptions surrounding governance. She clarified,
“I am the only woman elected in the FCT, and there’s a misunderstanding about what governance means. For me, it’s about bringing the most benefit to the people.”
While she admitted that she hasn’t been able to personally reach out to every voter, she emphasized that her focus has been on broad initiatives aimed at uplifting the entire FCT. Kingibe also acknowledged the unique challenges of being a woman in the National Assembly, reiterating the ongoing need to lobby for the necessary support to ensure crucial projects are funded.
